Knife-sharpener



Patnteu May 2, i899.

G. F. BALLU. KNlFE SNAI'PENER.

(Application med nu. 15, 139s.)

@No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. BALLOU, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY N.

FISHER, OF VVALTI'IAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

KNIFE-SHAR-PENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,437, dated May 2, 1899.

Application filed nach 15,1898. seria No. 673,995. (No moda.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. BALLOU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knife-Sharpeners, of which the following is a specification.

l employing two grinding-disks the operative surfaces of which absolutely overlap,whereby the blade will be ground on both sides to an actual edge.

Further objects of my invention are to provide and produce aknife-grinder of the type referred to which can be made cheaply, which will be durable and effective in operation, which can be readily applied to a table or shelf, and which, with a slight change, can be utilized in sharpening scissors and other cutting instruments having a shearing action.

'In carrying out my invention I provide a suitable supporting-standard, with respect to which rotate two grinding or sharpening elements. One of these elements comprises an annulus or ring which'is preferably secured to the face of a disk having an operating-handie attached thereto.v The other grinding element comprises a disk the periphery of which operates in close engagement with the grinding annulus or ring and actually overlaps the same. This overlapping of the grinding elements is effected, preferably, by providing a groove in the annulus or ring referred to, in which works the periphery of the grindingdisk; but the same result may be effected by arranging the disk with-in or without the annulus or ring, with the periphery of said disk beyond the grinding-surface of said annulus or ring, or by employing two of said rings, be-

tween which the said disk will operate with its grinding-surface beyond the grinding-sur,- faces of said rings, or by employing two of said grinding-disks working on both sides of a single annulus'or ring, with the grindingsurfaces of said disks beyond the grindingsurface of said annulus or ring. However these two grinding elements may be arranged, they are at all times so supported that the ginding-surfaces thereof will actually overlap,as stated,whereby a smooth and fine edge may be obtained on the knife or other instrumentto be sharpened. The two grinding elements are simultaneously rotated by suitable gearing interposed between them-such, for instance,as ordinarybevel-gears. Preferably the axis of the grinding annulus or ring is arranged in a plane beneath the axis of the grinding-disk, so as to prevent the possibility of the knife or otherinstrument during the sharpening operation engaging with the shaft or sleeve to which the annulus or ring is secured. The said arrangement also enables me to obtain a better edge on theknife or other instrument to be sharpened, for reasons which I will explain hereinafter. Vhen the axis of the grinding annulus or ring is arranged, as stated, in a plane beneath the axis of the grinding-disk, I may employ ordinary skewbevel gears for communicating motion between the sharpening elements.

In order to render my improved knife Sharpener suitable for use in the sharpening of scissors and other instrumentshaving a shearing action, I employ a suitable supporting-bracket adjacent to the periphery of the grinding-disk and on which the scissors or other instrument may be supported in such a way that the said grinding-disk will effecti-vely grind the cutting-surface thereof. This support or bracket is located Vin a plane beneath the axis of the grinding-disk, whereby the desired inclination of the cutting edge of the scissors or other instrument may be secured.

In order to secure the device to a suitable shelf or table, I employ an improved form of bracket, which will bedescribed in detail and by means of which the device may Ybe securedv to shelves and tables of varying thicknesses.

IOO

In order thatmy invention may be better understood, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this parts are represented by the same numerals of reference.

l represents a suitable supporting-frame having a base 2 cast therewith, which base is adapted to rest upon the top of a table or shelf to which the device is to be secured. Depending from the base and cast therewith is an arm-3, provided with a series of serrationsor teeth 4 on its inner edge. Coperating with this arm is an adjustable clamp 5, which isprovided with a slot G th erein,throu gh which the said arm extends. Extending through the arm 3, near its lower end, is a pin 6/, bymeans of which the clamp will be prevented froln disengagement with said arm.

The clampis provided with an edge 7, adapted to engage with any one of the teeth 4, as will be understood.

8 represents a thu rnb-screw passing through the'upper part of the clamp 5 and engaging the smooth face of the arm 3.

It will be noted that by placing the foot 2 on the table or bracket, with the arm 3 extending parallel with and against the outer edge thereof, and by elevating the clamp 5 until it engages with the bottom of said table or bracket, with the edge 7 in engagement with one of the teeth or serrations 4, the

thu mb-nut 8 may be then operated so as to rmly clamp the support l in position for operation.

9 represents a spindle which is riveted to the support 1, and rotatably mounted on said spindle is a sleeve 10, held in place by a nut 11. The sleeve 10 is screw-threaded on its exterior, as shown, and engaging with this screw-threaded portion is a boss 12, carried by a disk 13. The longitudinal positionof the disk 13 relatively to the sleeve 10 is determined by an adjusting-nut 14, which also engages the screw-th reads of said sleeve. The disk 13 is adapted to loe operated by a handle 15. Thesaid disk is provided with an exterior rim 1G,within which,in the preferred form of my invention, is seated an annulus or ring 17, made of emery, carborundum, or other suitable grinding material. The said annulus' or ring may be secured in place in any suitable way, but preferably by ordinary glue. 18 represents a spindle, which is also riveted in place to the support 1, but is arranged, preferably, in a plane above that of the spindle 9. Rotatably mounted on the spindlel 18 is a sleeve 19, lateral movement whereof is prevented by a nut 20. The outer end of the sleeve 19 is provided with a rim 21, against which is held a grinding-disk 22 of any suitable grinding material. The said grindingdisk is clamped in position against the rim 21 by a clamping-sleeve 23, engaging screwthreads on the exterior of the sleeve 19.

In order that a fine true edge maybe formed on the knife or other Vinstrument to be sharpened, I arrange thev grinding elements, comprising in this instance the annulus or ring 17 and the disk 22, in such a Way that they actually overlap. This is accomplished in the preferred embodiment of the invention by providing the annulus or ring 17 With an annular groove 24 in its grin.dingface,in which groove works the grinding-disk 22, as will be understood. Rotary movement is applied to the two'grinding elements in any desired way, but the means shown are considered preferable. These means comprise a skew-bevel gear 25, cast integral with the sleeve 10 and engagingv teeth 26, formed on the sleeve 23. It will be noted that the sleeve 19 will partake of a more rapid rotary movement than the sleeve 10; but since the diameter of the annulus or ring 17 is greater than that of the grinding-disk 22 the peripheral speed of the two grinding elements will be substantially coincident. This, however, is of no consequence, since the peripheral speed of one may be much greater than that of the other wilhout affecting the efficiency of the device.

In order to render t-he device suitable for the sharpening of scissors and other instruments having a shearing action, I prefer to employ a supporting shelf or bracket 27 ,which is carried on an arm 2S, cast with the support 1. The scissors or other instrument may be held on this bracket 27 and will be engaged by the periphery of the grinding-disk 22, so as to be effectively sharpened. It will be observed that the bracket 27 is arranged ina plane beneath that of the spindle 18, whereby the desired inclination ofthe cutting edge will be obtained.

The operation of the improved device will be as follows: The knife or other instrument to be sharpened, as shown in dottedlines in Figs. 1 and 2, is introduced into the space formed between the annulus or ring 17 and the disk 22. The handle 15 is now rot-ated, so as to tendto carry the knife or other instru ment out of this position. The grindingsurface 17 will operate on one side of the knife and the periphery of the grinding-disk 22 will operate on the other side of the knife, and since the said grinding-surfaces actually overlap, as explained., the edge which will be secured will correspond to the angle between these grinding-surfaces. By arranging the axis of the grinding-disk in a plane above that of the annulus or ring I prevent the knife or other instrument from engaging with the sleeve 10. This arrangement also enables the annulus or ring to operate on its surface at a very considerable angle, the grinding action taking place in a direction approaching the longitudinal axis of the knife instead of approximately crosswise thereof. I have found from experience that this opera- IOO IIO

tion results in the formation of a better edge than when the two grinding-surfaces Work directly Crosswise of the knife, in which latter case there is danger of the formation of a roughened serrated edge thereon. As the grinding-surfaces, either that of the annulus or ring orof the grinding-disk, or both, become worn the adjusting-nut 14 may be moved slightly toward the gear 25 and the disk 13 site sides of the blade, said grinding-surfaces overlapping, and means for simultaneously operating said grinding-surfaces, substantially as set forth.

2. In a sharpener for knives and other cutting-blades, the combination of a grinding annulus or ring and a grinding-disk, the periphery of the latter overlapping the grindin g-surface of said ann ulus or ring, and means for rotating said grinding elements, substantially as set forth.

8. In a sharpener for knives and other cutting-blades, the combination of a grinding annulus or ring and a grinding-disk, the periphery of the latter overlapping the grindingsurface of said annulus or ring and the axis of said annulus or ring being arranged in a plane below that of the grinding-disk, and means for rotating said grinding elements, substantially as set forth.

4. In a sharpen er for knives and other cutting-blades, the combination of a grinding annulus or ring having a groove in its grinding-face, a grinding-disk, the periphery of Which Works Within said groove, and means for simultaneously rotating said annulus or ring and said disk, substantially as set forth.

5. In a Sharpener for knives and other cutting-blades, the combination of a grinding annulus or ring having agroove in its grinding-face, a grinding-disk, the-periphery of which Works Within said groove, the axis of said annulus or ring being arranged in a plane below that of said disk, and means for simultaneously rotating said annulus or ring and said disk, substantially as set forth.

6. In a Sharpener for knives and other cntting-blades, the combination of a grinding annulus or ring having a groove in its grinding-face, a grinding-disk, the periphery of which Works Within said groove, means for simultaneously rotating said annulus or ring and said disk, and means for adjusting said annulus or ring toward said disk, substantially as set forth.

7. In a Sharpener for knives and other cutting-blades, the combination of a grinding annulus or ring having a groove in its grinding-face, a grinding-disk, the periphery of which works Within said groove, means for simultaneously rotating said annulus or ring and said disk, and a regulating-screw for allowing adjustment of said annulus or ring toward said disk,4 substantially as set forth.

8. In a combined Sharpener for knives and scissors, the combination of a grinding annulus or ring, a grinding-disk cooperating with said annulus or ring and between which and the latter the knives are sharpened,anda supporting-bracket adjacent to said disk on which scissors may be supported for grinding by said disk, substantially as set forth.

9. In a Sharpener for knives and similar articles, the combination of a support, a spindle mounted in said support, a sleeve carried by said spindle, a disk on said sleeve, a grinding annulus or ring carried by said disk, a second spindle arranged at right angles to the first spindle, a grinding-disk carried on said second spindle and cooperating with said annulus or ring, and means for simultaneously rotating said annulus or ring and said grinding-disk, substantially as set forth.

10. In a Sharpener for knives and similar articles, the combination of a support, a spindle mounted in said support, a sleeve carried by said spindle, a disk on said sleeve, a grinding annulus or ring' carried by said disk, a

second spindle arranged at right angles to the roo first spindle, a grinding-disk carried on said second spindle and cooperating with said annulusor ring, means for simultaneously rotating said annulus or ring and said grindingdisk, a handle for operating said annulus or :o5

ring, and gearing between said annulus or ring and said grinding-disk, substantially as set forth.

11. In a Sharpener for knives and similar dle 9 carried by said support, a sleeve 10 mounted on said spindle, an adjusting-nut 14 carried on said sleeve, a disk 13 also mounted on said sleeve and engaging said adjustingnut, a grinding ann ulus or ring 17 carried by I i5 simultaneously rotating the same,'substan 12o Vtially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 31st day of January, 1898.

' eno. F. BALLoU.

Witnesses:

FRANK L DYE'R, EUGENE CONRAN.

"articles, the combination of a support, a spinr 1o 

